This might be a better choice than the similarly pronounced Jan, to avoid gender confusion.


Yann

Yannick originated as a diminutive of Yann, the Breton form of John. However, it has since become popular as a standalone name in its native region of Brittany, as well as in France as a whole, where it peaked at #31 in 1973-4. It remains well within the Top 500 in France to this day, and has also seen regular use in Belgium, Switzerland, the Netherlands and Quebec.

 French tennis star Yannick Noah is a well-known bearer.

Yannick

The multicultural Yara is also the name of a beautiful green-skinned Brazilian goddess and might make a more unusual spin on Mara or Sara. Yara Greyjoy is the name of a strong female character in HBO's Game of Thrones, sister to the troubled Theon. In George R.R. Martin's books, this same character is named Asha; the show's producers changed it to avoid confusion with similar-sounding Osha.

Yara

Yardley is an English surname with a distinguished vibe, a la Chauncey and Clancy. Extremely rare for either sex, it would make a stand-out choice that still fits in with current trends.

Yardley

Highly unusual as a baby name for either gender, Yarrow is an herb that grows wild and has long been used for its medicinal property. It's named for the mythical Achilles, who was said to carry yarrow into battle.

Yarrow

Yarrow is a flowering herb that grows wild in Europe and North America, and has long been used in several Native American and European cultures as a healing plant. Named for the mythical god Achille, Yarrow is a symbol of enduring love.

As a baby name, Yarrow is highly unusual, given to no babies in the US in the most recent year counted.

One of many international versions of this classic. 

Yelena

Yetta

Yinuo is a Chinese female name meaning "promise." It is part of an idiomatic expression "Yinuo Qianjin" (一诺千金), which means "one promise; one thousand gold" or "keep your word." This Chinese name has the advantage of being relatively easy to pronounce for non-Chinese speakers. People called Yinuo include Yinuo Mu, principle harpist in the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra and Yinuo Chen, a Chinese actress who starred in Empresses in the Palace.

Yinuo

Yitta

Y is a very rare initial, and this feisty mini-name packs a double punch with its spiky final Z. Inez or Inez are the more familiar spellings of this chic name, which is related to Agnes and could be an interesting way to honor a relative with that name.

Ynez

The Hebrew version of Joel has a pleasant, almost jolly sound. 

Yoel

Yohanna

Yordana

Alas, poor Yorick, your name is fated to remain locked forever as a skull in Hamlet.

Yorick

Young

Ysabel is the original spelling of this ever-more-popular name, though to English-speakers, the initial Y may confuse pronunciation. 

Ysabel

Variation of Isolde, the name of a great Celtic heroine. The mononymous French singer Yseult is the most notable bearer today.

Yseult

Yudith

An appealing Asian name with a nickname feel. 

Yuki

In the Japanese culture, this name suggests a sense of independence and is one of the popular <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/577/names-for-december-babies">names for December babies</a>.

Yukio

A possible <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/412/christmas-baby-names">Christmas name</a> for a baby boy, if you find Noel too mundane. But we fear it doesn't sound very festive.

Yule

Yule is one <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/412/christmas-baby-names">Christmas baby name</a> that doesn't sound very festive. We prefer Winter or even Christmas itself.

This is the Armenian version of the familia Julia, which has a rich and evocative sound.  Other variations are Iuliya, and the diminitive Yulya.

Yulia

An attractive, widely appealing, multicultural option. KPOP singer Yuna may be attracting some attention to her name.

Yuna

A mix of Yvonne and Elaine, Yvaine was first noticed in the Neil Gaiman fantasy novel and then movie Stardust, in which Claire Danes played the 'fallen star' Yvaine. This In all its forms, one of the most classic <a href="https://nameberry.com/list/472/scottish-names-for-girls">Scottish names for girls</a> is now attracting namer attention--just as that other Gaiman-inspired name, Coraline, did. Yvaine has a definite romantic, medieval charm. A small segment of namers are definitely taking notice.
 The name probably derives from the Arthurian male name Yvain, one of the Knights of the Round Table

Yvaine

Yvan

On paper, with its stylish ties to fashion legend Yves Saint-Laurent (born Henri), Yves looks great, but the pronunciation--EVE-- could lead to gender confusion. German variation Ivo might be cooler and clear up the issue.

Yves

This French name has the elegance of other '-ette' names such as Colette and is a botanical name without being too obvious about it. 

Youthful Y Names